View full sizeMike Wallace will be an expensive item on the NFL marketplace, and has some lingering issues about his play. But that doesn't disqualify him from the Browns' interest, says team CEO Joe Banner.AP file

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have a fistful of cash, and they're not afraid to spend it in free agency.

With the new three-day negotiating period that precedes free agency beginning Friday at midnight, the Browns -- who are at or near the top of the NFL with more than $45 million in cap room -- promise to be active.

The actual signing period begins Tuesday at 4 p.m., the same time the trading period opens.

"We have a lot of cap room," Browns CEO Joe Banner said at the NFL Combine last month. "We have cap room to do what we want, whether it's to keep our own players or being active in the free agent market."

Depending on which free agents sign with their own teams before Tuesday, the market appears to be robust, with plenty of quality players coming off their rookie contracts and in the prime of their careers.

"The fact we have cap room and other teams don't I think will help us in the marketplace," said Banner. "I view this as a good year to be in the free-agent market and to be able to get fair market value. You never know, but I would expect us to be participants in free agency."

Banner stressed that the club won't be shy about spending as they work to build a perennial contender.

"We're going to be an active, aggressive team in spending over the years," he said. "I say 'years' on purpose. In a given year, depending on where you're at, you might not be, but over the course of years we'll be on the aggressive end of team spending."

Banner has taken different approaches to free agency with the Eagles, including their spending spree in 2011 that produced the so-called "Dream Team" which went 8-8. That year, they signed high-priced cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and defensive end Jason Babin. They also added quarterback Vince Young, receiver Steve Smith and Ronnie Brown.

Most years, the Eagles focused on building through the draft and tuned out the siren call of big-name stars on the market.

"I don't have a rule," Banner said. "I think you need a certain number of impact, difference-making players at key positions to be a really good football team. Sometimes you get those through free agency, preferably you're drafting them and developing them. But I've also picked up a lot of less expensive players that have turned out to really contribute. So we'd be open to either."

The wish list heading into the frenzy include a quarterback to press Brandon Weeden, a cornerback to replace Brown, a pass-rusher to power the new 3-4 defense, a receiver, a free safety, a tight end, and a kicker.

As The Plain Dealer reported on Thursday, the Browns will pursue Cliff Avril, who was coached by new Browns defensive line coach Joe Cullen in Detroit, and Paul Kruger of the Ravens. They're also expected to go after linebacker Quentin Groves of the Cardinals and defensive tackle Desmond Bryant of the Raiders.

But will they go after a high-priced receiver such as the Steelers' Mike Wallace or the Packers' Greg Jennings? Wallace brings blazing speed and a boatload of production, but also an attitude from a contract issue last year. Will Banner take a chance?

"Somebody that's a little bit flamboyant but is a really hard worker and really badly wants to be the best he can be and really wants to play on a winning team doesn't scare me," said Banner, who spoke in general terms. "Players that have off-the-field problems or aren't driven to be great, we will stay away from."

Of course, the most sought-after free agents usually sign with contenders, and the Browns are still a year or two away. Moore is believed to be seeking a playoff team and a warmer climate, but also wants a chance to start. Cleveland native and Cardinals quarterback Brian Hoyer is a restricted free agent, and the Browns will be out of contention if Arizona gives him the second-round tender. Some sources say the Patriots will trade backup quarterback Ryan Mallet, others say Bill Belichick won't let him go.

Let the wheeling and dealing begin.

Free agency FAQs

Q: When does the 2013 free agency signing period begin?

A: Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Q: When does the trading period open?

A: 4 p.m. Tuesday

Q: What are the rules governing the new three-day negotiating period before the start of free agency?

A: Beginning at midnight Saturday morning and ending at 3:59 p.m. Tuesday, clubs are permitted to negotiate with the certified agents of unrestricted free agents whose contracts will expire at 4 p.m. Tuesday. However, contracts cannot be signed until Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Q: Can players visit clubs during the new three-day negotiating period?

A: The players can't, but the agents can, and certainly will. Players can only visit their existing teams and have contact with them. They cannot visit other teams or have any contact with employees or representatives of other clubs. If a player represents himself, he's not allowed to negotiate with other teams during this period.

Q: Can Jimmy Haslam dispatch his private jet to pick up a free agent during this three-day window?

A: No, clubs may not make travel arrangements with any prospective free agents or their agents until their contracts expire Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Q: What is the salary cap this year?

A: $123 million.

Q: How much cap space do the Browns have?

A: Reportedly more than $45 million.

Q: How much do they have to spend?

A: Over the next four years, they have to spend an average of 89 percent of the cap.

Q: What are the categories of free agency?

A: Players are either unrestricted free agents, restricted free agents or exclusive rights free agents. An unrestricted free agent has more than four accrued seasons and can sign with any team, with no draft pick compensation for the former club. A restricted free agent has three accrued seasons, and teams place a first-, second- or original-round tender on the player. The original team can match any offer, and the new team must surrender the pick that corresponds to the tender. The original tender means the new team must give up a pick in the round the player was originally drafted in. An exclusive rights free agent has less than three accrued seasons and is not available to other teams.

Q: What is the time period for free agency signings this year?

A: Restricted free agents can be signed from Tuesday through April 19. For unrestricted free agents who have received the June 1 tender from their previous club, it's Tuesday through July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later). For franchise players (one can be designated from each team and will make the average of the top five at their position), it's Tuesday through the Tuesday after the 10th week of the regular season (Nov. 12). If a franchise player does not sign by Nov. 12, he must sit out the season. There are no transition player designations this year.

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